You're having a hard time and lately you don't feel so good
You're getting a bad reputation in your neighborhood
It's alright
It's alright
Sometimes that's what it takes
You're only human
You're allowed to make your share of mistakes
You better believe there will be times in your life
When you'll be feeling like a stumbling fool
So take it from me you'll learn more from your accidents
Than anything that you could ever learn at school
Don't forget your second wind
Sooner or' later you'll get your second wind

It's not always easy to be living in this world of pain
You're gonna be crashing into stone walls again and again
It's alright
It's alright
Though you feel your heart break
You're only human
You're gonna have to deal with heartache
Just like a boxer in a title fight
You got to walk in that ring all alone
You're not the only one who's made mistakes
But they're the only thing that you can truly call your own
Don't forget your second wind
Wait in that corner until that breeze blows in
You've been keeping to yourself these days
'Cause you're thinking everything's gone wrong
Sometimes you just want to lay down and die
That emotion can be so strong
But hold on
Till that old second wind comes along

You probably don't want to hear advice from someone else
But I wouldn't be telling you if I hadn't been there myself
It's alright
It's alright
Sometimes that's all it takes
We're only human
We're supposed to make mistakes
But I survived all those long lonely days
When it seemed I did not have a friend
'Cause all I needed was a little faith
So I could catch my breath and face the world again
Don't forget your second wind
Sooner or later you'll feel that momentum kick in
Don't forget your second wind
Sooner or later you'll feel that momentum kick in


Lyrics submitted by fletch699

You're Only Human (Second Wind) Lyrics as written by Billy Joel

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group

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You're Only Human (Second Wind) song meanings
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11 Comments

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  • +1
    General CommentThis is one my top favorite Billy Joel songs of all time. :)
    emuInAmuumuuon May 15, 2012   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis song is very good at lifting one's spirit. Plus it has an awesome film clip
    freddysgirlon May 29, 2002   Link
  • 0
    General Commentsuicide = bad. wait for that second wind [does "wind" mean "chance"?]
    appypollyloggyon March 08, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General CommentSecond wind is another burst of energy, or say when you are tired during the day and you feel ready to go again, people say thats your second wind.
    eaglesfan81on June 23, 2003   Link
  • 0
    General CommentBilly wrote this song for a friend whose child committed (or attempted) suicide. He dontaed the proceeds to a suicide prevention charity.
    Classion August 24, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General CommentI read somewhere that Billy wrote this song 'cause
    Geofreakon May 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Comment... 'cause he'd been asked by some man 'cause of the high suicide rate, especially suicides by teenagers. I really don't know if it's true or not. I'm only reciting.
    Geofreakon May 03, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General Commentthis song just caused a huge rush of joy over me. I have been feeling super down in the dumps recently, and like, holy crap, this song puts it perfectly. Thank-you Mr. Joel, you saved my life.
    ChuckBeanson May 31, 2008   Link
  • 0
    General CommentA part of the song where he stumbles over one of the words was left in deliberately because his then wife, Christie Brinkley said it sounded cute and to leave it in.
    grumpyrhondaon November 14, 2008   Link
  • 0
    My OpinionI don't like this song as an anti suicide song to be honest. If i'm feeling low, the last thing i wanna listen to is a song like this. Its too jumpy and happy. I want to relate to something and not feel alone.

    I heard that this is a second draft, and that the first draft was much more somber, too somber he thought, so he wrote the second draft.
    I would really like to hear the first draft, i think i'd like it better.
    renthead4on August 13, 2010   Link

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